[This letter was probably forwarded to Vance by Green Burke. The handwriting in this letter is the same as a letter Green Burke wrote on May 17 and different from the handwriting of a letter James Burke wrote to Vance on May 13. James Burke died in a Richmond hospital on November 23, 1863, place and date not reported. ]

May the 8th 1863
Hanover Junction
My Dear farther and Mother
it is with pleasur I Seat my
Self this evning to Drop you
A few Lines to Let you no that
I am well in health But not
Satisfied in mind I am Still
under gard yet I hav not been
Courtmarshal yet I dont no
what thay will do with me
thay took me to Richmond
an put me in gard house and
took my money and three fine
Combs and my Letter govnor
vance Rote for me to Show to
my Col and would not give
theme Back to me no more
[page 2]
I had fifteen dollars in
Money farther I want you
to Right to govnor vance
again as quick as you
can farther have seen
hard times Since I Left
home I dont get hardley
any thing to eat I am
under gard in the 52 Regt
I want you to Send me
Some money for I have to
Sufer for Somthing to eat
James Burke
to green Burke